Best of

the Twin Cities

Best Album

'Wordless Wonder' by Real Numbers

The full-length debut from Minneapolis mod-pop quartet Real Numbers is filled with 10 breezy, catchy tunes that build on the promise suggested by the group’s previous EPs. Wordless Wonder taps into the buoyant effervescence of ’90s Britpop delivered with a decidedly modern flourish, as the group fluidly blends indie rock’s vibrant past with a contemporary swagger. Real Numbers boast pedigrees from a wide array of prestigious local bands -— including Howler, Nice Purse, Private Interests, Cozy, and France Camp — and crystallize the raucous garage-rock sounds of those outfits into spirited new songs. The dynamic harmonies of Wordless Wonder recall ’60s psychedelic surf-rock, while the playfully introspective lyrics reflect the mundane frustrations of modern-day living.